petch sez

The MFI fuel system for Porsche street cars stinks. It may be perfect for a race car but few things that are perfect for racing work well for street. Biggest problem, the MFI system dilutes the oil with gas and leads to premature engine wear. The car does fly though.

Under steer or over steer in a Porsche results in which end of the car hits the guard rail first. Under steer the front hits first, over steer the back hits first. NASCAR calls this “Loose or Tight” for you Roundy Round guys.

914-4 was a very ‘balanced car’. When they stuck a 6 in the car it became much more difficult to drive because of all the weight being centered. The 6 suffered a polar effect with just one chance to catch it.

The Boxster solved the polar problem by distributing more weight in front of the front axles, this led to a well handling car. Of course the PCA Club Racing spec Boxster tribe negated the balanced handling by running the car square (same tires in front & rear).

Fuel load in pre 964 911 had a lot to do with handling and braking because of the fuel tank location. The tank was located in front of the rear axle and when fuel burned off the front got lighter which translates in to less braking and less balance with a higher percentage of weight in the rear. Remember over steer.

The steering wheel and pedal assembly was ‘off set’ to the center in all air cooled 911. That is why the seating position is so unique.

Model Year (MY) was difficult to understand prior to the 17 digit VIN (made mandatory in 1981). For example, in order to have cars in the show room in America by September Porsche began making the in June of the preceding year. Example: In June of 1969 Porsche began making 1970 which sometimes included items from the 1969 MY. This lead to some one off cars. Example: Round out side mirrors on early Carrera RS.

Rust was always issue with Porsches. First attempt was using galvanized floor pan in 1972. In late 1976 for US cars only, saw the introduction of fully galvanized tubs. Rust pretty much disappeared. ROW cars didn’t get this treatment until 1981. That is one of the reasons Euro cars were less desirable.

Speaking of rust. The problem with water getting inside the Targas was so prevalent Porsche came up with a unique fix. The factory drilled ¼” holes in the floor pan and then rubberized the floor. No lie. They couldn’t keep the water from getting in but they could drain it out. This solution I am sure came after the afternoon beer break.

One of the reasons Porsche 911 have been so successful in racing is over steer. The car rotates so you can get on the gas sooner, then on to the next straight. Or as Cole Trickle’s crew chief said in Day of Thunder,” Loose is fast and tight is slow”. Caution here, a little over steer is a good thing but too much is not so good. Just like everything in life. I'll drink to that.

about Dan

Dan Petchel is a Porsche driver, enthusiast and longtime PCA member and he's been tinkering with these beloved German sports cars for close to 50 years. He writes about Porsches, Targa Tops, vintage parts and the people he meets along the way